Series Review: Darcy and Rachel by Emily Giffin

Series: Darcy & Rachel
Author: Emily Giffin
# of Books: 2 (Something Borrowed, Something Blue)

There is a prequel novella called The Diary of Darcy J. Rhone

Complete?: Yes
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Drama, Chick Lit
Heat Rating: really warm
Movie Review: Catch my thoughts on the movie here!

Thoughts:

When this book came out, it was everywhere and I my eye was always drawn to the simple cover until one day I actually picked it up. I read this book long before my dislike of love triangles existed (ie, before I read Twilight) but even looking back at it, Something Borrowed never bothered me for one simple reason: it’s not really a love triangle. Also, Darcy is super easy to hate.

I don’t condone cheating on your partner–I personally think it is one of the worst things you could ever do–but when I was reading it, I really sided with Rachel. As I said it wasn’t hard. Darcy is the definition of someone who irritates me in real life: she’s vein, shallow and just doesn’t treat Rachel all that nicely. Add to it the fact that Darcy and Dex just didn’t seem to click the way Rachel and Dex do–which is why I say it isn’t really a love triangle because I think it is obvious to everyone who is really in love with who.

That isn’t to say Rachel is the greatest character ever. She doesn’t stick up for herself and never admits her true feelings. The fact of the matter is this whole book could have been avoided by just admitting what she felt for Dex years ago or telling her best friend.

Also, I feel like it is important to bring up Dex here and his role in it all. It isn’t fair to blame just the girls for what happens. It takes two to tango and he knew exactly what he was doing in all of this. In reading other reviews, readers harp on the girls for being annoying and weak but I feel like it is only fair to say that Dex isn’t the best object of affection that a book has seen. He actually reminds me of a male hybrid of Darcy and Rachel in the sense that he is a touch selfish but never really says his true feelings.

But I digress…

What I did like about this book is that there are a few good lines and I liked Rachel’s character development. She really grows as a person and I always like seeing that in a book.

Something Blue was a book I wasn’t looking forward to for obvious (once you read Something Borrowed or at least this book’s synopsis) reasons. I also didn’t remember Ethan that much so I wasn’t all that excited to read more about him. But I think in the end, I actually liked this book a lot more than Something Borrowed. I think watching the two characters develop into better people was great and it’s set in London 😛 But in all seriousness, I think it’s a great redemption novel for all involved.

Conclusion:

If you don’t like love triangles, cheating partners or selfish heroines, avoid these two books! Definitely Chick Lit but not at its finest. I also recommend this for an older crowd. I was just starting high school when I read these so I had a hard time relating to both of these characters. I’m not sure my perspective would change now that I am ~10 years older, but it is something to consider.

Rating: 4/5

Similar Reads: Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot (Queen of Babble #1)
It’s not a book but the movie Bride Wars (2009) with Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson reminded me a lot of the relationship between Rachel and Darcy.

Synopsis for Something Borrowed (from Goodreads):
Something Borrowed tells the story of Rachel, a young attorney living and working in Manhattan. Rachel has always been the consummate good girl—until her thirtieth birthday, when her best friend, Darcy, throws her a party. That night, after too many drinks, Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy’s fiancé. Although she wakes up determined to put the one-night fling behind her, Rachel is horrified to discover that she has genuine feelings for the one guy she should run from. As the September wedding date nears, Rachel knows she has to make a choice. In doing so, she discovers that the lines between right and wrong can be blurry, endings aren’t always neat, and sometimes you have to risk all to win true happiness. Something Borrowed is a phenomenal debut novel that will have you laughing, crying, and calling your best friend.